2002 Toyota RAV4: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Jun 23, 2017 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 74,000 miles · IL

Faulty ecu computers causeing variations in speed and problems with hard shifting, damageing transmissons, causeing vehicles to fail while driving while in motion vehicle will not shift correctly. My vehicle stopped in an intersection and I was nearly hit by another vehicle while attempting to accelerate the vehicle would not shift into gear while turning left. I felt I could have been killed by on comming traffic with no ability to control my vehicle. Toyota dealer and mechanic told me this is a well know defect and problem know to toyota with rav 4 2001-2003. Also, 02 sessors go bad early leading to hazardous emissions to public and this burns out catalitic converters which can also cause harmful emissions. Rav 4 2001 to 2003 have been identified as having faulty ecu's, auto transmissions and 02 sensor deficits and should be recalled by toyota to protect the public from accidents related to poor shifting, unsafe speed control and harmful emissions to the public. I notified toyota and they said they would do nothing because they offered an extended warnety but that expired after 10 years and they never notified me of any problems to look out for with the transmission. I feel these vehicles may be a danger to the public due to built in engineering defects that affect speed control and emissions. They also lead to very costly repairs for the customers.

Filed Sep 15, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 112,000 miles · OH

When traveling the transmission is slamming into gear. In 2012 there was a class action law suit. The law suit was won and rav 4 owners whom filed were reimbursed for cost of fixing. Toyota also agree to extend warranty on transmission. Toyota failed to inform owners of toyota rav 4 of this problem. I have not owned this rav 4 for long but feel it should have been recalled. Please advise if we can extend class action law suit or add this to the recall list as it should have been. Thank you

Filed Dec 30, 2013 · Electrical, Transmission · 88,970 miles · UT

We bought this car off my mom (who was the original owner and has taken immaculate care of it!) just two months ago! Out of nowhere the car started to experience "hard shifting". Because it couldn't shift like it should, it was a road hazard/safety issue! We took it into the toyota dealership that very day. They told us it was the ECM and maybe even the transmission! The approx. Cost would be $1,100 to replace the ECM, and thousands more if it was the transmission. They said they would have it done by tuesday (christmas eve.) I started researching the problem because it didn't make sense that this car that had such low miles would have this problem. Well, I found out this is a widespread problem with the rav4. Toyota knows about it and has not recalled this part! There was even a lawsuit against them, but that only LED to an extension of the warranty to 10 years or 150,000 miles, whichever comes first! Our car only has 88,900 miles but because it is 11 years old, it won't be covered by a warranty! We are out $1,180 right at christmas time! And they did not get the car fixed until dec. 27th! (kind of puts a damper on christmas plans when you don't have your car!):( I called toyota in hopes that they would help us because they know this part is faulty, but I was met with an unsympathetic response! Basically, "its out of warranty so it won't be covered!" toyota needs to recall this part, and reimburse those who have already had to fix it, not only because it is their moral obligation to do so, but also because someone could be killed if they don't! Please recall this part, be decent human beings, instead of being worried about your bottom line! There are more important things than money, toyota! As mad as I am about being out the money to fix this problem (that toyota knew about) I am glad that I am only out the money, rather than mourning the loss of a loved one.

Filed Dec 23, 2013 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · CA

When I was driving about 40mph the car would lurch, not all the time, but every so often. When I was backing up the car would make a clunking noise. I took my car to have the transmission repaired with my mechanic, it was repaired but the local but he said that if the computer part of the transmission isn't dealt with, it would happen again. I went to the toyota dealership with the recall paperwork that my mechanic printed out for me and they said that 10 years have passed and they wouldn't honor the recall.

Filed Oct 4, 2013 · Transmission · 69,317 miles · WA

This is a well-known problem with the engine control module (ECM) malfunctioning, causing hard shift conditions, transmission damage, possible accidents and injury.this problem is affecting up to 235,500 toyota rav 4 models between 2001-2003. My experience is typical of the numerous complaints that can be seen posted here; http://www.carcomplaints.com/toyota/rav4/2002/transmission/problems_shifting.shtml toyota needs to issue a complete recall on the defective ECM units and compensate for losses incurred.

Filed Aug 20, 2013 · Transmission · 111,326 miles · CT

Transmission slipping, engine racing, hard shift with a loud noise.

Filed May 15, 2013 · Transmission · 79,100 miles · TX · crash · 2 injuries

My wife drive a 2002 rav4 to work. On april 15 2013 while on her way to work like always she stopped at a red light . As the light turn green she pressed the gas the car started moving and suddenly lost acceleration, the driver behind her did not have time to reacted and rear ended them. My 2 year son and my wife shocked my son cried for a little bit and my wife had a sore back . An the beginning when she told me these I didn't think much of it . One week after the incident she told me the check engine light came on I told her maybe you didn't close the gas cap good when you put the gas if it still on I will get it check. Sure enough the engine light went off on its on .shortly after she told me the car is not driving normal if we could swap cars. I drove her car for couple days and occasionally I start experiencing a low acceleration and sometimes a hard shift. Took the car to the toyota dealership and was told that toyota has an open bulletin for the ECM witch control the gear of the transition but the bad news the said even do I had only 80100 miles they said the warranty is out by time. Once I read about this problem on several forum I realize that was exactly what my wife try to explain me. I contacted toyota about what happen and told them about the accident they give me a case number and told me some one will contacted you with in 24 hours.

Filed May 14, 2013 · Acceleration, Engine · 120,000 miles · KS

First the engine light came on then while trying to accelerate, the car hesitates and then shifts hard and jerks the car forward. The safety issue is that the car hesitates and acceleration is affected so it is unsafe to try to get on the highway with oncoming cars behind you. I talked to toyota about this issue but they stated my car was not covered by the recall of (harsh shift condition and/or malfunction indicator light).

Filed Apr 12, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 84,000 miles · NV

In 2009, 2010, and 2011 my 2002 toyota rav4 exhibited sharp, rough shifting into and out of gear, often when on the freeway. The vehicle also had a check engine light that repeatedly came on. I was initially advised by a non-toyota repair shop that the issue was with the transmission and it had to be replaced. However, upon taking the car to a toyota dealership they stated the problem was with the ECM. In 2009 they re-programmed the ECM, in 2010 they re-programmed the ECM and in 2011 (after the extended warranty was issued by toyota corp) they replaced the ECM. They never did any service on the transmission. Now in april 2013 just 17months after they replaced the ECM it happens again and they tell me I need a new transmission and I have to pay for it because it's out of the extended warranty. Since the ECM was throwing the transmission in & out of gear for 3 years, isn't it obvious that the transmission was damaged by the ECM? It was even mentioned in the service bulletins that the ECM was possibly causing damage to the transmission and the dealerships may also have to replace the transmission at the same time the ECM was replaced. Yet because they chose not to repair or replace the transmission on my car in 2011 while it was under warranty, I now have to pay for what should have been done in the first place. Toyota has been aware of this problem since 2006 yet they never issued a recall or notified owners until a class action lawsuit was filed. Toyota needs to satisfy their customers by issuing a recall and admitting that both the ECM and transmission need to be replaced on any 2001-2003 rav4 that experiences rough shifting, or shifting in & out of gear, or codes that reflect a problem with the ECM or transmission. This is dangerous for drivers and toyota is negligent in preventing injuries and deaths due to a known defect.

Filed Nov 30, 2012 · Acceleration, Electrical · 88,000 miles · FL

On starting, the car the battery light came on and stayed on. A month or so later I noticed a clunking in the transmission as the automatic went to a higher gear. This problem still remains.

Filed Nov 6, 2012 · Acceleration, Engine · 165,000 miles · CO

Out of the blue while in rush hour traffic, my car started shaking, jerking, slamming into gear, not accelerating, and at times it felt like the brake was being applied when I stepped the gas. When I first took it to the dealership a day after this happened the first time, they could not find anything because they could not duplicate the issue during a test drive. Literally minutes after picking my car up and driving off the dealership lot, it started happening again in stop-and-go traffic. This time it was much worse and I was afraid as the person behind me almost rear-ended me. I took it back to the dealership and they tell me I either need a new ECM or a new transmission. But after researching this on the internet, it is a huge issue that is happening to a lot of 2002 toyota rav4 owners. And we as the owners are at the mercy of the unknown - this happens out of no where and is horribly unsafe and yet toyota takes no responsibility.

Filed Jul 23, 2012 · Transmission · 122,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 toyota rav4. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced harsh shifting. The contact also stated that when attempting to accelerate, there would be an increase in the engine rpms but the vehicle would not accelerate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the ECM would need to be replaced. The contact was also informed that the transmission fluid needed to be drained and replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileages were 122,000.